Limitations On Information

Could Also Hinder Tourism

July 23, 1994

Regarding Business section article "U.S. rethinks tourist strategy'': Although many people seem to think the crime rate in Florida is the reason tourism has dropped, my experience says the Tourist Office in London, England, could explain part of it.

Several years ago, members of the public could enter the office to pick up any leaflets they needed, lists of hotels, routes, discuss things with the staff, study maps, etc.

Now, this is closed. You have to write detailing the area you wish to visit (allow seven days). They then reply giving you the address of the local tourist office in say, San Francisco, and then you have to write again (allow 28 days because they usually use surface mail to reply). By this time, of course, you begin to think that maybe San Francisco was not such a good idea, and plan to go somewhere else where you get immediate information.